HHS OCR report · 2017
Patients Choice data breach
OCR report facts
- Covered entity
- Patients Choice
- Entity type
- Healthcare Provider
- State
- Texas
- Individuals affected
- 1,069
- Submission date
- Sep 26, 2017
- Type of breach
- Hacking/IT Incident
- Location of breached information
- Network Server
- Business associate present
- No
- Status
- Archive (closed)
OCR description
On November 19, 2016, an individual hacked into the covered entity’s (CE) file transfer (FTP) computer server, stole documents, and subsequently reported the incident to the CE and OCR. The types of protected health information (PHI) involved in the breach incident included demographic, financial, and clinical information. In response to the breach incident, the CE implemented additional technical safeguards, including encryption and firewall protection. Further, the CE stopped using FTP serv...
Text as published on the HHS OCR breach portal.
Frequently asked questions
How many people were affected by the Patients Choice data breach?
The report to HHS OCR lists 1,069 individuals affected.
When was it reported to HHS?
It was submitted to HHS OCR on Sep 26, 2017.
What type of breach was it?
The OCR portal lists the type of breach as Hacking/IT Incident, with the breached information located in: Network Server.
Is the investigation still open?
No. The report is in the OCR portal archive, which holds reports where OCR has closed its review.
Is a breach notice letter from Patients Choice legitimate?
This site cannot verify letters. Check the sender against the organisation's official website and the HHS OCR breach portal, and avoid calling numbers or clicking links only listed in an unexpected message. See our guide on what to do after a data breach notice.
Source: HHS OCR Breach Portal, OCR export October 2026. Network USA is not affiliated with HHS or Patients Choice.